La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva DOC 2020
(Rioja, Spain) - [JS 93] [TA 92] [WA 92] [WS 91]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1890, La Rioja Alta is one of the most experienced and universally respected wineries in Rioja. Viña Alberdi is La Rioja Alta's juiciest, most approachable Rioja to drink on the younger side. That said, it still is one of the standard bearers of great quality, affordable, traditional Rioja, aged for two full years in barrels produced on site by the company's own coopers.

Notes from the Winemaker:
Intense, medium-high depth, ruby-red; clean and bright. The nose particularly stands for its red fruit (raspberries, wild strawberries and red plums), which give way to notes of vanilla, nutmeg, caramel and cedar from barrel aging. Flavor-packed, balanced and very fresh, with smooth, friendly tannins. Harmonious, well-balanced finish, with a pleasant final freshness that invites you to continue enjoying this new vintage.

100% Tempranillo from our Mayorita, Rebollar, and Bardal vineyards, as well as selected plots in El Palo, Rodezno and Alto del Rey, and Labastida. These vineyards are located at an altitude of 500-600 metres (1600-2000 ft) above sea level, planted in chalky-clay soils more than 40 years ago. After carefully selecting the grapes to be harvested, we placed the clusters in boxes that we immediately transported to the winery in refrigerated vehicles at a temperature of 14°C (57°F). The Bordeaux model was applied, destemming, crushing and vatting the grapes in tanks, where they underwent alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. The wine was aged for two years in American oak barrels manufactured in-house; the first year in new oak and the second in barrels averaging three years in age. The wine was manually racked four times by the light of a candle. Bottled in June 2017.

Pairing:
Vina Alberdi stands out for its food-pairing versatility. It is the ideal companion to appetizers, snacks and barbecues, perfect with rice, pasta and creams, and great with lightly-grilled meat and fish.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - James Suckling:

"A classical, typical Rioja Alta red with elegant notes of vanilla, coconut, smoked spices and strawberries. Refined and suave, with fine tannins and a long, creamy finish. Juicy and elegant. Really approachable now, but give it two more years to get more mushroom complexity." - (Aug 2024)

92 Points - Tim Atkin, MW:
"Sold as Crianza in Spain but a Reserva elsewhere, this is a quintessential traditional style Tempranillo from Julio S enz and La Rioja Alta, with two years' ageing in 50% new American oak, pomegranate, dill, tobacco leaf and desiccated coconut flavours, racy acidity and sculpted tannins. Very drinkable. 2025-2032" - (Feb 2025)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The younger wine here is the 2020 Vina Alberdi, a versatile version of the Haro reds. It was produced with Tempranillo fermented in stainless steel and matured in American oak barrels for two years (it's sold as Reserva in international markets and Crianza in Spain). It has 14% alcohol with a pH of 3.6 and five grams of acidity. It has a classical nose of ripe fruit, American oak and spices, the subtle notes of forest floor, still young. The palate is velvety and very balanced with polished tannins. Approachable but should also age." - (Feb 2024)

91 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Hints of tobacco, smoke and vanilla are a fragrant thread winding through the baked cherry and raspberry fruit, cocoa powder and red licorice notes on display in this lively, harmonious, focused red. Fine, crisp tannins firm the finish. Drink now through 2030." - AN (Jun 2024)